Outbound Queue Time Slicing for Deterministic Packet Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional store-and-forward mechanisms in networks fail to guarantee deterministic delay in packet forwarding due to unpredictable delays in scheduling outbound-interface-direction queues, hindering the realization of end-to-end delay guarantees.

Innovation Solution

Implement time slicing in outbound-interface-direction queues, determining the length of one time slice based on outbound interface bandwidth and packet length, and allocating time slices to queues based on service attributes to maintain deterministic delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional store-and-forward mechanism is used for packet forwarding, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but deterministic delay cannot be guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoiddeterministic delay guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outbound-interface-direction queue is divided into multiple time slices, with each time slice allocated to specific queues based on service attributes. This segmentation allows predictable scheduling of packet forwarding within each time slice while maintaining overall bandwidth utilization through continuous processing across multiple slices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The scheduling mechanism dynamically allocates different time slices to different outbound-interface-direction queues based on service attributes and current network conditions. This dynamic allocation enables the system to adapt to varying traffic demands while guaranteeing deterministic delay for time-sensitive services through reserved time slice allocations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If time slicing is implemented in outbound-interface-direction queues, then deterministic delay is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeterministic delay guaranteeVSAvoidscheduling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling mechanism operates periodically with fixed time slice durations, where each time slice is allocated to specific queues in a predetermined sequence. This periodic operation simplifies the scheduling logic compared to complex dynamic algorithms, as the system follows a regular, predictable pattern that is easier to implement and manage while still achieving deterministic delay guarantees.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4156645B1Message forwarding method and apparatus, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 NEW H3C TECH CO LTD
  • EP4156645B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4156645B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4156645B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a packet forwarding method, a packet forwarding apparatus, and an electronic device. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by setting up a corresponding outbound-interface-direction-queue scheduling period for the outbound interface on the network device, a number of time slices in the outbound-interface-direction-queue scheduling period, and a length of one time slice, and allocating corresponding time slices in the outbound-interface-direction-queue scheduling period to the outbound-interface-direction queues corresponding to the outbound interface, such that the network device can schedule, on each time slice in the outbound-interface-direction-queue scheduling period, packets in the outbound-interface-direction queue corresponding to the time slice. This can realize that the delay of waiting for scheduling outbound-interface-direction queues is maintained between the worst delay and the best delay as discussed above, realize deterministic delay of waiting for scheduling outbound-interface-direction queues, and thus realize deterministic delay of packet forwarding.